Almanac Teams: Friday the Thirteens (1980- )

 

 

A team of more obscure/lesser known players to wear the Number 13 jumper since 1980.

 

 

Here’s my second team of players to wear the Number 13, mostly from 1980 onwards but I have made exceptions, such as Ross Oakley in Number 12

 

 

It is a light-hearted team based on cult figures, forgotten/lesser known players or stats/cameos associated with them, players known for other deeds, sons, fathers & brothers and forgotten players.

 

My criteria, similar to my previous efforts was:

 

• Attempt to include one player per club
• I have tried to create as balanced side as possible but this was not a priority

 

 

Stats are based on their time in that number

 

 

 

FB:          Brian Brown (Ess)                       Tom Lonergan (Geel)                 Alan Richardson (Coll)

 

CHB:      Scott Chisholm (Freo)                 David Sierakowski (St.K)           Jordan McMahon (Rich)

 

C:            Justin Blumfield (Rich)              Adam Cooney (Ess)                     Tom Kavanagh (Melb)

 

CHF:      Tom Boyd (GWS)                         Travis Cloke (WB)                       Damian Cupido (Ess)

 

FF:          Tony Antrobus (Ess)                   Allen Jakovich (Melb/WB)        Shane Ellen (Adel)

 

Ruck:     Jeff Fehring (St.K),                      Nat Fyfe (Freo)                             Scott Wade (Haw)

 

Interchange:  Mitch Aitken (Carl), Luke Blackwell (Carl), Ben Hudson (Adel) Brett Voss (St.K)

 

 

No players from Brisbane, Fitzroy, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Sydney or West Coast.

 

 

 

Games in Number 13 (Years played)

Brian Brown 2 (1982)

Tom Lonergan 209 (2005-2017)

Alan Richardson 112 (1988-1996)

Scott Chisholm 63 (1995-1998)

David Sierakowski 93 (1994-2000)

Jordan McMahon 34 (2008-2009)

Justin Blumfield 19 (2003-2004)

Adam Cooney 11 (2015)

Tom Kavanagh 2 at Melbourne (1989) 6 at Fitzroy (1994)

Tom Boyd 9 (2014)

Travis Cloke 10 (2017)

Damian Cupido 40 (2003-2005)

Tony Antrobus 8  (1990)

Allen Jakovich 41 at Melbourne (1991-1994) 7 at Footscray (1996)

Shane Ellen 54 (1996-2000)

Jeff Fehring 11 (1981)

Nat Fyfe 18 (2010)

Scott Wade 12 (1981-1983)

Michael Aitken 1 (1985)

Luke Blackwell 23 (2006-2007)

Ben Hudson 55 (2004-2007)

Brett Voss 135 (2001-2007)

 

 

 

Brian Brown – Brian played 51 games for Fitzroy over five years, his best season was 1978 when he played 19 games. This proved important for Brisbane as they were able to draft his son Jonathan in 1999 under the Father-Son Rule, when the cutoff was 50 games. Brian would play two games for Essendon in 1982, a mere 48 games short for Jonathan to be eligible for the Dons. Brian was really nothing like his imposing son, he was 183cm tall and played in the back pocket.

 

 

Tom Lonergan – Lonergan seventh match was against Melbourne in Round 21, 2006 and it could have easily been his last.  Lonergan’s kidney was severely damaged when he backed into a marking contest against Brad Miller. Lonergen was placed into an induced coma for four days and lost his right kidney and 17kg. He was delisted and redrafted as a rookie at the end of 2006 season. Lonergan returned to the Geelong reserves in mid-June and ended up playing in the Reserves 2007 Grand Final. He kicked six goals and won the Norm Goss Medal for Best on Ground. In 2008 Lonergan was elevated back on to the main list and went on to play 16 games for 36 goals in the season including the grand final. Lonergan missed the 2009 Premiership due to form but from 2010 onwards became a mainstay of the Geelong defence. In the 2011 Grand Final he nullified a red-hot Travis Cloke in the second half, making the All Australian Squad in the same year and finished up with 209 games to his name.

 

 

Alan Richardson – Alan Richardson has been involved with many clubs, he started off playing Under 19s at North Melbourne, played 114 games for Collingwood before moving on to be an assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton. Richardson was also director of coaching at Port Adelaide and coached one game when Ken Hinkley missed a match due to illness. St Kilda chose him as senior coach in 2014, he was there until 2019 for a total of 126 games and is now an assistant coach at Melbourne. Prior to the 1990 season Richardson had played just six games and did not play any in 1989. 1990 Richardson played 18 games and was a regular after Round 4, he had played all finals but suffered a cracked collarbone in the semi-final. Collingwood named Richardson in the back pocket for the 1990 Grand Final team but he had to face a fitness test on the Friday before the game. Sadly he failed and was replaced by Shane Kerrison. Richardson retired in 1996.

 

 

Scott Chisholm – Chisholm was one of Fremantle’s most exciting players when they entered the AFL in 1995. After four AFL games Chisholm polled eight Brownlow votes and had won over fans with his run and dare off half back – which suited Gerard Neasham’s game plan. Chisholm would play 15 games in his first year, kick four goals (all in one game) and finsh the season with 13 Brownlow votes and a fourth place in Fremantle’s Best and Fairest.  In 1996 Chisholm played 18 games for 13 goals (12 in the last six weeks), poll seven Brownlow votes run thirrd in the Best and Fairest. Chisholm struggled in 1997-1998 and was traded to Melbourne in 1999 where he played 18 games in two years, finishing his career with 81 games. Chisholm was known as ‘Prince’ as there was rumours that he was the great-grandson of King Edward VIII.

 

 

David Sierakowski – Sierakowski was a reliable tall for St Kilda over seven seasons and 93 games, he was able to play at either end and also as a backup ruck. He was a member of St Kilda’s 1997 Grand Final side but was unable to join his dad Brian as a premiership player for the Saints. Sierakowski was traded to West Coast in 2001 but played only 10 games over three years.

 

 

Jordan McMahon – McMahon was a controversial inclusion to the side for Richmond supporters. He was traded for Pick 19 in 2007, which the Bulldogs used to draft Callan Ward. McMahon had played 114 games over seven years for the Bulldogs before joining his former coach Terry Wallace who liked his pace and run. McMahon played every match in 2008 but fell out of favour in 2009 after Wallace departed midyear. McMahon did play in Richmond’s game over fellow bottom side Melbourne in Round 18, widely considered one of the worst matches ever. Notably, McMahon kicked a goal after the siren for Richmond to win by four points. This was match that Melbourne was accused of tanking, with some unconvential match ups. Richmond avoided the wooden spoon, Melbourne ended up with Pick 1 & 2. Richmond with Pick 3 were able to get the third best kid available; Dustin Martin. Jordan McMahon played four more matches in 2009, he spent 2010 on Richmond’s list but did not play a game.

 

 

Justin Blumfield – Blumfield had a debut to remember. In Round 10, 1996 Essendon played St Kilda at Waverley, but didn’t finish the game as the lights went out and the result was delayed by 72 hours. Blumfield though did not get a possession. Blumfield played in the 1996 Finals and became a regular in the Essendon team. A member of the 2000 Premiership side, he was named one of the best players in the game. Despite only missing two games in 2002 Blumfield was traded to Richmond as Essendon had salary cap problems which saw premiership players Blumfield, Caracella, Heffernan and Hardwick all leave. Blumfield struggled for form at Richmond, he played only 19 games over two years averaging under 10 disposals a game. Blumfield finished up with 148 games and a premiership medal.

 

 

Adam Cooney – Cooney wore number 17 for his entire career at the Western Bulldogs and his last of his two seasons at Essendon. In 2015 he wore Number 13 while Jake Melksham wore Number 17. Cooney struggled with injuries in 2015, he played only 11 games and averaged 16 disposals. While Cooney played 20 matches in 2016 he retired at season’s end due to persistent knee injuries, capping off a career spanning 250 games, a Brownlow Medal and All Australian selection.

 

 

Tom Kavanagh – Kavanagh is the son of Brent Crosswell and was drafted by Melbourne with Pick 111 as a Father-Son (he also had option to go to Carlton and North Melbourne). After playing two games in 1989, Kavanagh did not play again and left Melbourne for Castlemaine after being dropped for the Reserves Finals in 1990. Kavanagh was drafted by Fitzroy in the 1993 Midseason draft and played eight games in two seasons, wearing 24 in 1993 and 13 in 1994.

 

 

Tom Boyd – Tom Boyd was the first overall pick for GWS in the 2013 draft, a highly touted 200cm tall forward/ruck. Boyd played nine games in his debut year for eight goals. At the end of his first season Boyd requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs, which was completed for the Bulldogs’ captain Ryan Griffen. Boyd played 52 games in four years before retiring but will be most remembered for being ‘almost’ Best on Ground in the drought-breaking 2016 Grand Final.

 

 

Travis Cloke – Cloke arrived at reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs after 246 games for Collingwood which included a Premiership, Best and Fairest and two All Australians. Round 1 of the 2017 season was against his former side; he kicked one goal. Cloke played 10 games and kicked 11 goals, but missed games due to injury and retired at season’s end to focus on his mental health.

 

 

Damian Cupido – Cupido was an enigmatic forward who was born in South Africa. Cupido started his career at Brisbane, he played 13 games between 2000-2002. In 2003 Cupido moved to Essendon in a swap for Blake Caracella. His first season at Essendon was his best in red and black: 23 games, 39 goals (including two bags of five). He lost form after that high and played 17 games for 11 goals before he was delisted, his career finished at age 23.

 

 

Tony Antrobus – Antrobus was a champion rover in the SANFL, he won a Magarey Medal for North Adelaide in 1983. Antrobus joined Essendon in 1987 aged 25 and wore Number 2 between 1987-1989. In his first game of in 1987 he suffered a knee injury and did not play again for the year. In 1990 Antrobus wore Number 13, hoping his luck would change after three injury riddled seasons. Sadly Antrobus would not reach his SA best form and only played 22 games in four seasons at Essendon and a further six games at St Kilda in 1991.

 

 

Allen Jakovich – Jakovich was footballing freak that we never saw enough of. I covered a bit of him in the ‘Best of’ team but deserves to be mentioned again in this side. Jakovich started his career in WA, before playing in the NT. In 1990 he kicked 101 goals for Woodville and Jakovich was subsequently drafted at the end of the year with Pick 6 by Melbourne, he made his debut in 1991 aged 23. Jakovich started in Round 1 but did not kick a goal, he was dropped until Round 10 and kicked 1.2, was dropped again until Round 14 where he kicked three goals on his return. He wouldn’t look back, adding totals of eight, six, six, eight, seven, eleven, five, one, three, eight and four to finish with 71 goals. 1992 he only played 11 games due to a back injury, but still managed 40 goals (with a best of seven in Round 1). In 1993 he played nine games for 39 goals including a bag of nine and two bags of eight, 13 games in 1994 for 51 goals including eight in Round 1 and again in Round 17 for what turned out to be his last game for Melbourne. Injury forced Jakovich to retire, but after 12 months Jakovich had another crack. He was drafted by Footscray with Pick 9 in 1995. Jakovich played seven games and kicked seven goals for the Dogs, finishing up with a total of 208 goals in 54 matches.

 

 

Shane Ellen – Ellen played 11 games in three seasons at Footscray before being delisted and drafted by Adelaide in the preseason draft. Ellen played 17 games for the Crows in 1996 but struggled in 1997, playing Rounds 12-14 and then coming back in Round 20. Injuries to Adelaide players in the finals helped Ellen keep his spot in the side after having had just two touches in the first week of the finals and five in the second week. Ellen was picked for the Grand Final. As rockstar forward Tony Modra had been injured in the Preliminary Final, Malcolm Blight approached Ellen at training during Grand Final week and asked him if he had ever played Full Forward before. He advised Blight that he had not, but the genius coach told him: ‘Well, you will be this week.’ Ellen had not kicked a goal for the year, but kicked three first half goals and two more in the second (playing mainly at half back flank). In 1998 he became a two time premiership player but did not kick a goal (he did kick two in the Preliminary Final the week before).

 

 

Jeff Fehring – Fehring was a ruck for Geelong and played 19 games between 1977-1979. In 1980 he joined St Kilda and played 17 games between 1980-1981, he also kicked three goals. One of these goals is famous for being one of longest ever kicked. Playing against Collingwood in Round 3 1980, Fehring quickly launched a free kick from the ruck contest from just behind the centre circle. His goal was measured at 86 metres.

 

 

Nat Fyfe – Fyfe started his great career at Fremantle wearing the Number 13 jumper for 18 games in 2010, which included a rising star nomination. In 2011 Fyfe took over Number 7 from the traded Brett Peake, since then he has become one of the competitions best players, with two Brownlows, three All Australians, three Best and Fairests and the captaincy.

 

 

Scott Wade – Wade was a rover who played 12 games for Hawthorn between 1981-83, who struggled for games behind Matthews, Loveridge, Greene, Russo. Wade had a successful career in Tasmania playing 282 games and winning three premierships for Clarence. Scott is the father of Australian Test Cricketer Matthew Wade.

 

 

Michael Aitken – Aitken played only one game for Carlton in 1985 aged 25 after coming over from Claremont. At the end of 1986, Aitken had decided to quit football to further his studies in the UK as a doctor. This did not prevent Carlton from nominating him, along with a retired Bruce Reid as one of its three recruits mandated by the VFL to assist in the establishment of the new Brisbane Bears.

 

 

Luke Blackwell – The son of Wayne, who had played 110 games for Carlton between 1984-1990, Luke was drafted in 2004 and made his debut for Carlton in 2006. He played a total of 23 games on the wing until 2008. After being delisted he played for his father’s old club Claremont where he won the Sandover medal in 2011.

 

 

Ben Hudson – Hudson was a mature recruit to Adelaide aged 25, picked as pick 58 from Werribee in 2003. Hudson career is remarkable in that he did not start until he was 25, but played for four clubs: Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Collingwood. His last game was at age 35 with Collingwood, though he had announced his AFL retirement at the Western Bulldogs and again at Brisbane but was convinced to play after showing form as a ruck coach at both Brisbane and Collingwood. Hudson spent four years at Adelaide for 55 games and finished up with 168 in total.

 

 

Brett Voss – Brett is the brother of Michael and played 35 games over four years but never more than 13 in a season. Voss joined St Kilda in the Preseason draft and played 135 games over seven years. Voss was famously on the end of a brutal sledge from his brother Michael while lining up for goal, where Michael said to him (in more colourful terms) ‘My dad is sleeping with your mum.’

 

 

 

Some of the forgotten Number 13s are Brad Pearce (Bris), Adam Chatfield (Carl), Brett Cooper & Andrew Ukovic (Coll), Clayton Collard (Freo), Karl Fedke & Russell Merriman (Geel), Hayden Jolly (GCS), Jonathan O’Rourke (Haw), David Trotter (NM), Chris Hall (PA) Robert Powell & Brad Miller (Rich), Patrick Veszpremi (WB), Mark Komp (Foots), Peter Keays & Brent Frewen (Fitz).

 

 

 

The Tigers (Covid) Almanac 2020 will be published in 2021. It will have all the usual features – a game by game account of the Tigers season – and will also include some of the best Almanac writing from the Covid winter.  Pre-order HERE

 

 

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